American Foods That Were Born From Desperation

Some foods are born from creativity and inspiration, but others are invented out of pure necessity and desperation. Take the Great Depression, for instance. This was a time when food resources were extremely scarce and people were desperate to feed themselves and their families. Interestingly, some of the food creations that came from these desperate times have actually become some of our favorite meals today. 

Meatloaf

Meatloaf was born in the Great Depression era out of a necessity to stretch out meat rations. Meat grinders were new, and the idea was to combine other ingredients with the meat to bulk up the meal. These included flour, ketchup, soup, and oats. Since then, meatloaf has evolved and become something of a comfort food in many homes. 

Cornflakes

Cornflakes were created by the Kellogg brothers entirely by accident. They accidentally left wheat cooking in a hot pot for too long, causing it to become dry and stale. They decided to experiment and rolled the wheat before toasting it, creating the first ever Cornflakes. The cereal was a hit, and the brothers marketed it as a healthy alternative to the expensive meats that were typically used in breakfast meals at the time. 

Sloppy Joe

Ground beef was one of the more affordable meats that you could purchase during the Great Depression. In order ot stretch out meat rations, people started combining the meat with tomato sauce and spices, served on a bun. The saucy combination earned its name as the Sloppy Joe, and earned a place in many American homes for being an easy, affordable meal.

Mac ‘n’ Cheese

While the combination of cheese and pasta existed before the Great Depression, Kraft reinvented the idea in 1937, when it released the ready-made box of macaroni and cheese. They advertised it as a single box that could feed the whole family for just 19 cents, an intriguing offer to those suffering financially. It was cheap and delicious, making kids and adults instant fans. It remains one of the most popular Mac’n’ Cheese brands to this day.

Spam

Spam was invented by a man named Jay Hormel, who recognized the necessity for an affordable protein during the Great Depression, as people were facing extreme poverty. It became a real kitchen staple during World War II as it had a long shelf life and could be transported to military camps all over the world. 

Hot Dogs

Hot dogs rose in popularity as a quick, easy meal that Americans could purchase from a street vendor on the way to work. They became even more popular during the Great Depression as the processed meats could be mass-produced. No one could have guessed that over time, they would evolve to be a symbol of America, being sold in ballparks across the country.

Chili

Chili is a beloved dish in many American homes today and can be made in a variety of ways. But it started as a convenient way to fill the bellies of workers during the Great Depression. This cheap meal was popular because it could be bulked up with other ingredients other than expensive proteins and could be made in large batches to feed many hungry mouths. 

Grits

Grits originated in the South and have a history of feeding poor Southern farmers and their families. The dish, derived from ground cornmeal, was filling and could be made in large batches. It was served wth whatever was available: cheese, gravy, butter. Now, the dish is a Southern speciality and often seen as a feel-good food. 

Tater Tots

In the 1950s, people were seeking simple and convenient foods to feed their families, and prepackaged products were starting to rise in popularity. Tater tots were born from accidental experimentation. A food company decided to mash up their leftover potato scraps, add seasoning, and shape them into small bite-sized balls. They were an instant hit for busy moms as they could be kept frozen and kids loved them.